Tag Archive for: Adam Goldwyn

Joan Jett sports “Hammer for Congress” pin during Fargo Concert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 3, 2024

FARGO – On Saturday, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts performed in Fargo at Scheels Arena. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member donned a “Hammer for Congress” pin.

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “In addition to loving rock’n’roll, Joan Jett loves Trygve Hammer. And next Tuesday, I’ll be proud to cast my vote for Trygve on June 11. As his campaign continues, I know that North Dakotans will see what Joan Jett sees—that Trygve is a man of integrity, a patriot who served his country honorably in the Marine Corps and will continue to do so in congress.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Nico Rios embraced by fellow Republicans after harassing police during DUI arrest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 8, 2024

FARGO – The North Dakota Young Republicans announced several lawmakers who will be in attendance at their Spring Gala, notable among them is Representative Nico Rios. In December Rios was arrested for driving under the influence. During the arrest the Williston Republican hurled racist and homophobic slurs at police officers. Not only did the North Dakota Democratic-NPL call on him to resign, his own GOP district leadership did as well.

The NDGOP seems to have changed its tune, however, as the event highlights the opportunity to meet Rios alongside Senator Kevin Cramer, GOP Congressional Candidates Rick Becker and Alex Balasz, Public Service Commissioner Randy Christmann, and other Republican lawmakers.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “The lack of accountability from North Dakota Republican Leadership is horrendous. From sexually assaulting minors to crooked real estate deals to homophobic and racist slurs, the Republican Party doesn’t just turn the other cheek, they embrace this behavior. If you want a party that respects the law, it’s time to vote for the Dem-NPL.”

Earlier this week Representative Claire Cory (R-Grand Forks) was also arrested for driving under the influence. On Thursday, Representative Jason Dockter (R-Bismarck) will be sentenced for his criminal conflict-of-interest charge.

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

“Dockter must resign,” says Dem-NPL House Leader

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 3, 2024

BISMARCK – Representative Jason Dockter (R-Bismarck) was found guilty of a criminal conflict-of-interest charge today. The conflict-of-interest charge stemmed from the lease of a Bismarck building to the Attorney General’s Office under former Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Dockter became part owner of the building after the lease agreement was signed. The building resulted in a cost-overrun of over $1 million.

House Minority Leader Zac Ista (D-Grand Forks) stated, “Representative Dockter must resign after a jury convicted him of using his public office for personal gain. He has the right to appeal his conviction, but he should step aside from the privilege of serving in the Legislature. All North Dakotans deserve elected officials who are acting only in the best interests of the citizens of our great state.”

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn went further, saying, “From Ray Holmberg, to Nico Rios, to Jason Dockter, and to Donald Trump, today’s Republican Party is full of crooks. This is a great day for justice. Let this be a warning to anyone who thinks they can use an elected office to enrich themselves and deceive the American public: No one is above the law. If you want a party that respects the law, it’s time to vote for the Dem-NPL.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Two Years After Dobbs Decision Leak, Reproductive Freedom Steamrolled in ND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 2, 2024

Fargo – Today is the second anniversary of the leak of the Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which opened the floodgates to Trump’s extreme abortion bans across the country.

Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “Two years ago today, women across North Dakota learned that our trigger law would lead to a total abortion ban. Republican lawmakers are steamrolling reproductive freedom here. Drew Wrigley wants to know if you or a loved one have gone out of state to seek an abortion. Rick Becker and Julie Fedorchak want to take this national and rip away the rights of every woman in America. Some in the NDGOP even want to charge women with murder. Our Democratic NPL candidates want to restore and protect reproductive freedom and health privacy. Merrill Piepkorn, Katrina Christiansen, and Trygve Hammer believe medical decisions should be between patients and doctors, not politicians and their constituents.”

Armstrong’s Ukraine vote is “cowardly” says Dem-NPL Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 22, 2024

FARGO — On Saturday, the House of Representatives passed a bill to provide around $60 million in aid to support Ukraine. All the Democrats present and 101 Republicans voted for the bill, however, a notable “nay” was North Dakota Representative and Gubernatorial candidate Kelly Armstrong.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn said, “Rep. Armstrong’s vote against Ukraine aid is cowardly. The fight to protect democracy isn’t a metaphor for the brave Ukrainians fighting against Putin’s invasion. This war is deeply personal for me—my mother-in-law and father-in-law live in Kyiv. How do I tell my own family that my representative doesn’t have the backbone to stand up for them? Armstrong is putting American and Ukrainian lives on the line as he grovels to extremists in the Republican Party. We need to elect folks like Trygve Hammer and Katrina Christiansen to Congress who will support our allies.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Dem-NPL Chair emphasizes full support of Trygve Hammer for U.S. House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 9, 2024

FARGO – At the end of the filing deadline yesterday there were seven total candidates for running in the June 11 primary for the U.S. House—five on the Republican side and two on the Democratic-NPL ticket.

“After a unifying convention, Democrats stand strong with our endorsed candidates. We want to quash any notion that we support anyone other than Trygve Hammer. Trygve represents what is best about our Peace Garden State: he served our country in uniform, worked in the oil fields, and taught in our rural schools. He is also right on the issues: he is THE pro-choice, pro-union, pro-democracy candidate in this race. I am casting my vote in the June 11th primary and the November 5th general elections for Trygve, and I encourage not just every Democrat, but every Republican and independent who is tired of the anger and dysfunction in our politics to join me,” affirmed Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn.

Originally from Velva, Hammer served as a helicopter pilot, a forward air controller, a Military attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, and as an instructor and company officer at the U.S. Naval Academy. He deployed to Iraq in 2003 as an infantry officer and forward air controller. In 2010, he retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a major.

In his civilian life, Hammer taught 7-12 grade science in Granville, worked as roughneck on oil rigs in the Bakken, and currently is a counselor for Job Corps in Minot.

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Dem-NPL elects 8 “District Delegates” to attend the Democratic National Convention, others may still apply to attend as “At-Large Delegates”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 9, 2024

FARGO – At the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Convention, eight people out of 15 who ran were elected to serve as “district delegates” to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. These eight will appoint 7 additional delegates.

North Dakotans who are interested in becoming delegates should complete this form by Friday, April 12 at 5:00pm CT.

District Level Delegates:
Matuor Alier – Originally born in South Sudan, Alier immigrated to the United States in 2006 as a refugee seeking a better life for my family. Since then, he has become deeply ingrained in American society and has embraced the values of democracy and equality that this great nation stands for.
Rep. Hamida Dakane – Dakane represents District 10 in the North Dakota Legislature. Originally from Kenya, she came to North Dakota 12 years ago to attend NDSU.
Rep. Gretchen Dobervich – Dobervich has represented District 11 in the North Dakota Legislature since 2016. She grew up on her family’s farm and ranch in Slope County. Dobervich is a licensed social worker and works as a public health professional in Fargo.
Patrick Hart – Hart is the endorsed candidate for Lt. Governor running with Merrill Piepkorn. He has served as State Party Chair and Treasurer. Hart is a small business owner in Bismarck.
Landis Larson – Larson is currently the President of the North Dakota AFL-CIO. He has been involved in the District 13 Democratic-NPL and is a former legislative candidate. Larson served on Platform and Resolutions Committee and as a Sergeant at Arms for the 2024 State Convention
Kylie Oversen – Kylie Oversen currently serves as Chair of the DNC Rural Council. She served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 2012-2016 and was elected in 2015, 2017, and 2019 as State Party Chair.
Rep. Mary Schneider – For the past 10 years, Schneider has represented District 21 in the North Dakota House. Before getting a law degree, she worked as a police officer, a deputy clerk of court, as a psychiatric aide, and a criminal justice researcher. Schneider co-counselled the ARC class action which resulted in the development of community homes and services for persons with developmental disabilities who were institutionalized in abhorrent conditions.
Will Thompson – Thompson is a candidate for the North Dakota House in District 46. Thompson wants to create diverse employment opportunities that appeal to all types of skill sets in North Dakota.

This group will select North Dakotans to serve as 2 Pledged Party Leaders and Elected Officials delegates, 3 At-Large Delegates, and 2 At-Large Alternates.

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Automatic Delegates are:

Dem-NPL Chair – Adam Goldwyn
Dem-NPL Vice-Chair – Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille
DNC Committeeman – Jamie Selzler
DNC Committeewoman – Ruth Buffalo

At the State Convention, Selzler was elected to serve another term as DNC Committeeman. Buffalo chose not to seek re-election to this position. Renae Aarfor was elected to serve as DNC Committeewoman; her term will start after the Democratic National Convention in August gavels out. Aarfor is the former Southeastern Regional Director for Senator Heitkamp and is currently the treasurer for District 41 and Cass County Dems Chair.

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Dem-NPL Platform demonstrates stark contrast from divisive NDGOP’s

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 8, 2024

FARGO – “The North Dakota Democratic-NPL convention was one of unity and inclusion,” said Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn

The NDGOP affirmed all but one of its controversial resolutions. Leading up to the convention, the North Dakota Republican Party was plagued with infighting members trading homophobic insults. They spent nearly three hours squabbling over blocking their own delegates from participating. Today on News and Views on KFGO the NDGOP candidate for Superintendent couldn’t even say if he thinks Muslims should be allowed to teach in public school teachers.

Among the resolutions from the NDGOP

-Eliminate gay marriage while urging the attorney general to protect any religious center that discriminates against gay marriage

-Block protections for LGBTQ communities

-Enact harmful “school choice” programs diverting taxpayer dollars from public schools to fund unregulated and unlicensed private and homeschool programs

Goldwyn continued, “What we saw from the North Dakota Republican Convention was not very North Dakota Nice. If you are disaffected by the vitriol and chaos from the, come on over to the Dem-NPL, the water here’s fine.”

The Chair of the Democratic-NPL Platform Committee Charlene Rawson said, “Ours is an examination of what freedom is really all about.” Earlier this year, the North Dakota Democratic-NPL adopted a bylaws change to make the Platform Committee a standing committee that will meet throughout the year to adapt to an ever-changing political landscape.

Highlights of the Democratic-NPL Platform

-“The Dem-NPL advocates for unambiguous state laws affirming In Vitro Fertilization practices by medical providers in the state, holding clear freedom-from-prosecution any person involved in IVF protocols, which necessarily include the destruction of certain fertilized embryos, the selective abortion of multiple successful implantations, and the medical care afforded pregnant persons consistent with contemporary medical science”

-“The Dem-NPL supports restoring the state retirement and pension program that provided a defined benefit plan for teachers and public employees; and supports maintaining separate retirement systems for public employees (PERS) and educators (TFFR), in addition to keeping them as a defined benefit plan.”

-“The Dem-NPL opposes all efforts to privatize Social Security; and to strengthen Social Security, the Dem-NPL supports an increase, in, or the elimination of, the cap on taxable earnings for Social Security taxes. The Dem-NPL opposes all efforts to weaken Medicare.”

-“The Dem-NPL recognizes proper nutrition as a requirement for physical development and learning and supports fully funded hot lunches for all public-school students through grade 12, fully funded milk programs for elementary school students, and funded alternative lunches for medically-required diet and cultural restrictions.”

-“We support full funding for all public-school districts, including providing universal early childhood education and the expansion of Head Start, English Language Learners, and job training for all New Americans and immigrants.”

-“The Dem-NPL asserts “the trigger” law, passed in 2013 with additional restrictions on abortion passed in 2023, stand contrary to the American values of freedom and liberty and should be repealed.”

-“The Dem-NPL strenuously objects to the culture of fear and exclusion accelerated by members of the North Dakota legislature. In the last legislative session, 21 discriminatory bills were introduced with the intent of targeting LGBTQ+ and depriving these North Dakotans of common liberties to which we all should enjoy.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

‘Neither Armstrong nor Miller actually want to secure the border’ says Dem-NPL Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 29, 2024

FARGO, ND – As the Republican Gubernatorial Primary grows increasingly negative, a new ad from Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller falsely claims a cartel attack happened under President Biden’s watch. In reality, Donald Trump was president at the time, and it didn’t even occur in the United States.

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn remarked, “People’s lives and livelihoods hang in the balance at the US-Mexico border, but neither Armstrong nor Miller actually want to secure the border or help the people of our border regions. If they did, they would have supported the Senate Bipartisan Border Deal. These two are more interested in playing political games than solving real problems. The Democratic Party stands ready with real solutions to real problems while the Republicans continue to play political games with real people’s lives.”

In February, House Republicans and Donald Trump sank the bill to secure the border. This prompted US Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), who’d negotiated the bipartisan agreement took to social media to say, “The border is a money making grievance machine for Republicans. That’s all. Period. Stop. Keeping it a problem raises them money, drives ratings, helps them win elections. They don’t want to fix it. That’s why they killed the bipartisan border bill.”

During President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union, he remarked, “’That bipartisan bill would hire 1,500 more security agents and officers, 100 more immigration judges to help tackle the backlog of two million cases, 4,300 more asylum officers, and new policies so they can resolve cases in six months instead of six years now. What are you against?” The key Republican negotiator on the bill US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was seen saying, “That’s true” and nodding his head.

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

Current and Former ND Democratic-NPL Chairs speak about Grace Link’s legacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 12, 2024

BISMARCK, ND – Former First Lady Grace Link has passed away at 105.

“North Dakota lost an icon today,” remarked Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn, “Grace has been an inspiration to generations of Democratic-NPLers, especially women who were moved to get more involved because of her passion, and to whom Grace gave sage advice. She represented the best of our Dem-NPL to which she was so committed: integrity, respect, belief in democracy, and citizen activism.”

Bob and Marge Valeu, close friends of Grace and former Governor Link for over 50 years, commented, “Grace was a role model on what it takes to be a good and kind person. Grace embodied the spirit of North Dakota. An awesome lady, dedicated to community service. A North Dakota treasure who will be missed dearly.”

For many years, the Democratic-NPL has given the Art and Grace Link Lifetime Achievement Award, named for the political power couple, to North Dakotans who embody the same sense of service to their state and country. In November 2023, Link was named the Honorary Chair of Dem-NPL Century Club, a fundraising unit that supports the Democratic-NPL year-round work to build party infrastructure supporting candidate recruitment, local district and regional leadership, issue-based education, and tools for Dem-NPL success.

Link was also a phenomenal pie maker and keen fundraiser, her coveted lemon meringue pies would go for hundreds of dollars at local Democratic-NPL events.

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]

ND Democratic-NPL Chair calls for immediate release of Stenehjem’s recovered emails

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 7, 2024

FARGO, ND – Today, North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chair Adam Goldwyn called for the immediate release of the late Wayne Stenejhem’s official emails.

Goldwyn remarked, “It was pretty difficult for most of us to stomach the decision that Mountrail County state’s attorney Wade Enget made not to pursue criminal charges after Troy Seibel and Liz Brocker ordered Wayne Stenehjem’s emails be deleted less than 24 hours after his death.

Now we’re learning that the statute of limitations has passed for Seibel and Brocker, and that Julie Lawyer, the Buliegh County States’ attorney (and new employer of Brocker) had limited the scope of Enget’s investigation.

Today’s revelation shows that we cannot let up on the pressure for thorough investigations into this matter. We need to see these emails immediately, they belong to the people of North Dakota. The Bismarck good ol’ boys club can’t keep us in the dark.”

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications and Digital Director
(701) 566-0616
[email protected]